The Jazz Scene: Philly’s Jazz Appreciation Month is here

April is “Jazz Appreciation Month” in the City of Philadelphia, with the goal of stimulating the current jazz scene and encouraging people of all ages to participate and support institutional jazz programs. Mayor Michael Nutter has announced that this year’s “Jazz Appreciation Month” honoree is legendary pianist McCoy Tyner, who first came to fame with the John Coltrane Quartet. Tyner, one of the most innovative and influential pianists in jazz history, has continued to evolve as a pianist and bandleader after Coltrane’s death, and is still going strong at the age of 76. Jazz Appreciation Month, by the way, was created in 2001 by John Edward Hasse, PhD, curator of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. Several impressive City events associated with Jazz Month will take place at the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts, and they include performances by saxophonist Bobby Zankel on April 7, saxophonist Kenny Garrett on April 23, and drummer Bernard Purdie on April 25. For a complete lineup, visit creativephl.org/jazz.

Part of the city’s celebration is the fourth annual Center City Jazz Festival, to be held on April 25 at a number of area venues. Among this year’s headliners are the groundbreaking Fresh Cut Orchestra, guitarist Matt Davis, saxophonist Bootsie Barnes, pianists/vocalists Andy Kahn and Dena Underwood performing their “Alone Together” program, the West Philadelphia Orchestra, Ben Schachter, pianist Luke Carlos O’Reilly, and young performers from the Kimmel Center’s Creative Music Program for Jazz. Venues are Chris’ Jazz Café, Milkboy, Time Restaurant, the new Franky Bradley’s, and Fergie’s Pub. Each venue will host several groups, beginning at 1pm and going through early evening.

Even the tony Rittenhouse Hotel is getting into the jazz act. The hotel will present area singers and instrumentalists in the hotel’s lobby lounge each Friday and Saturday night from 8:30pm to 11:30pm beginning April 3. Artists include saxophonist Tom Moon, pianist Tim Brey, and vocalist Chelsea Reed.

Another new series, this one a monthly program called “Jazz it Up Spotlight,” kicks off on April 9 at Bar Volvér within Jose Garces’s Volvér restaurant at Broad and Spruce Streets. Performers at the first event include pianist Tim Brey, who is also the series’ musical director, and his trio; and guest vocalists Alice Robin and Pete Gaudioso. Shows run from 8-10pm, and reservations are not required.

While the City continues to make strides in the area of jazz festival presentation, we still have nothing like the corporate-sponsored Reading, PA-based Berks Jazz Fest, now celebrating an astounding 25 years among the nation’s leading jazz festivals. Philadelphians are deservedly well represented at this event, which takes place April 10 through 19. Those from our region participating include Pieces of a Dream, guitarists Jimmy Bruno and Pat Martino, trumpeter Terell Stafford, the Philadelphia Jazz Orchestra, and singer/instrumentalist Paul Jost and the Jost Project.

Newly booked for the first-ever Allentown Jazz Festival, which runs from April 29 through May 3, are the award-winning vocalist Nicole Henry and the quartet of the Dave Brubeck-influenced Eric Mintel.

Those interested in Philadelphia’s rich history as a major jazz town take note: The digital project “All That Philly Jazz” is a treasure trove of musical history telling the story of our jazz heritage via first-person essays, rare photos of famed jazz clubs, oral histories, and videos.

And tickets are still available for the April 11 Kimmel Center performance of two jazz giants: pianists Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock. This is a concert that stars two living legends and should not be missed.